Micheal O’Neill’s first match as manager of Northern Ireland ended in a 3-0 defeat to Norway at home. The current Northern Ireland team has changed quite remarkably since that night in Belfast seven years ago. Let’s take a look to see what the players are up to now.

Goalkeeper – Lee Camp

This was Lee Camp’s eighth cap for his adopted country. He didn’t have the best night conceding three goals. One at the end of the first half, and two futher goals at the end of the second half. At the time he was playing for Nottingham Forest in the Championship, before a move to Norwich in the Premier League, making three starts.

At the age of 35, Camp currently is playing for Birmingham City in the Championship, and is their number one choice between the sticks. He has started every game so far this season and played 44 times for the blues. Camp made himself unavailable for selection after his next cap against Finland, and hasn’t played or been selected since that game in 2012.

Defence – Gareth McAuley

A 35th cap was what Gareth McAuley recieved after being selected in the starting XI. He was deployed at right-back which is not his natural position, although one were he has played many times for his country. He was contracted to Premier League side, West Bromwich Albion at the time, playing for the baggies 32 times that season in the league.

He is currently without a club at the age of 39. Last season he was with Rangers, making seven league appearance for the Gers. He still remains part of the Northern Ireland, having been selected for the summer qualifiers for Euro 2020.

Centre-back – Aaron Hughes

This match saw Aaron Hughes put on the National shirt for a 85th time. He was deployed as centre-back for this match, and at the time was playing for Fulham in the Premier League, having played 19 times for his club that season in the league.

Aaron Hughes retired at the end of the 2018-19 season, having last been with Hearts in Scotland. He was called up to the national team for the last time during the away trips to Estonia and Belarus, with his 112th and final cap coming against Costa Rica in summer 2018, playing as a left back.

Centre-back – Jonny Evans

Hughes’ partner in defence was Jonny Evans, who was making his 29th cap for his country. At the time he was playing for Manchester United, playing 29 times for the Red Devil’s that season.

He is now a regular starter at Leicester City having moved the foxes in 2018 after getting relegated with West Bromwich Albion. He made 24 appearances for Leicester last season, but looks to be a key starter after the departure of Harry Maguire. Evans was also subject to big money bids from Manchester City, rejected in order to stay at the baggies, before leaving for £3 million, as was the clause in his contract.

Defence – Ryan McGivern

Ryan McGivern was on loan at Bristol City at the time of making his 15th cap for his country, having played for Bristol 31 times that campaign, while he was on loan from Manchester City.

McGivern is currently applying his trade in Northern Ireland with the NIFL Premiership champion’s Linfield. This comes after unsuccesful spells at Northampton Town and Swindon Town. He hasn’t had much game time at Linfield just yet, injuries caused him to only play in five matches last campaign, signing in July and making his debut in February. His last international cap against Croatia in 2016.

Midfield – Corry Evans

The younger brother of Jonny, Corry made his 14th appearance for his country during this match. At the time of the match he was playing his club football for Hull City in the Championship, making 43 league appearances that season for the tigers.

Corry now plays his club football for Blackburn Rovers having made 35 appearances for the Championship side last campaign having made the return to the second flight through promotion with Blackburn, making 32 appearances for them the previous season.

Midfield – Steven Davis

The captain of the squad, leading them out on his 52nd cap. At the time he was playing for Rangers, making 33 appearances that season, before Rangers were relegated to League 2 and Davis left to join Southampton in the Premier League.

Davis is currently back at Rangers, having joint them on loan in January 2019 before signing on a free after being released by Southampton. He made 15 appearacnes in the league for the Glasgow side at the end of last season, and has established himself as a key player, just as he did in his previous spell, as well as continuing to captain his country.

Midfield – Sammy Clingan

Sammy Clingan made his 31st appearance for Northern Ireland in this game. He was playing Championship football for Coventry City at the time, making 36 appearances that season.

He is currently applying his trade in the NIFL Premiership in Northern Ireland, playing for Glenavon, he played 10 times last season. He made his final Northern Ireland appearance in 2014 against Romania.

Midfield – Shane Ferguson

A place in the starting XI allowed Shane Ferguson to pick up his first start for Northern Ireland, after appearing as a sub in his debut three years prior. At the time he was playing for Newcastle Untied in the Premier League, making seven appearances in the league.

Ferguson is currently playing in the Championship with Millwall, making 35 league appearances last season. He has been a regular in the Northern Ireland set up with his last cap coming against Belarus in 2019.

Forward – Dean Shiels

Dean Shiels made his 10th cap for Northern Ireland against Norway. At the time he was playing club football for Kilmarnock in Scotland, originally on loan but made permanent and making 35 league appearances that season.

He is now playing his football in the NIFL Premiership with Coleraine, having signed with them from Derry City. He made 12 appearances for the Bannsiders last season, scoring two goals.

Forward – Martin Patterson

Martin Patterson started for Northern Ireland against Norway, making his 13th appearance. He was playing his club football for Burnley in the Championship, making 14 appearances that season.

He retired in 2018, at the age of 32, having been playing in the Indian Super League and the second tier of football in the United States.